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Former Millville student: Teacher gave me herpes

A former Millville student who was involved in a months-long sexual relationship with her math teacher is suing the school district, claiming the administration didn't do enough to protect her from the crime.

Former Millville student: Teacher gave me herpes

BRIDGETON – A former Millville student who was involved in a months-long sexual relationship with her math teacher is suing the school district, claiming the administration didn't do enough to protect her from the crime.

The victim, now 20, also claims in her lawsuit that teacher Michael S. Drebes had herpes at the time of the sex assaults — some of which occurred on school grounds — and transmitted the disease to her.

Meagan Jones is asking for a jury trial but has offered to settle the case for $450,000, according to her suit.

Drebes, a former math teacher at Millville Memorial High School, was sentenced in 2010 to seven years in state prison for sexually assaulting the student, who was 14 when the crimes occurred.

Drebes served about four years of that sentence after pleading guilty to sexual assault and official misconduct. He was released in June.

Jones filed her suit July 3 in state Superior Court, naming Drebes, the Millville Board of Education, former Memorial School principal Albert Johnson and student assistant counsel Steven Megonigal as defendants.

She claims the district administration failed to supervise Drebes, failed to investigate evidence of a relationship between her and Drebes, didn't enforce policies regarding student/teacher relationships and didn't do a thorough background check on the teacher before hiring him. The nature of those claims is not disclosed in the suit.

Jones also claims some of the sexual encounters occurred at Memorial School — a claim that wasn't made public by authorities when they announced the crimes.

"The relationship started on school grounds," Jones' attorney Melville D. Lide said. The teacher and Jones kissed on school grounds, he said.

Lide said the Board of Education conducted its own investigation of the incident.

"I can't comment on the lawsuit specifically," Millville Superintendent David Gentile said. "However, I can say that we expect our staff members to maintain the highest ethical standards and behave professionally at all times. We take all reports of misconduct seriously and all reports are investigated thoroughly. When necessary, we work collaboratively with local law enforcement officials."

Board of Education President William Herman said he was unsure if he was ever told any kissing or sexual acts between Jones and Drebes took place on school grounds.

"It doesn't ring any bells," Herman said. "I think I was, but it's not for certain."

The suit claims Drebes "initiated and subsequently pursued a sexual relationship" with Jones. The woman charges Drebes used force during their first physical contact.

Drebes is subject to lifetime parole supervision and Megan's Law registration, which is used to track and monitor sexual offenders across the state. Drebes also is barred from public employment. He could not be reached for comment.

Since the relationship occurred, Jones claims in the suit, she has suffered from various physical and mental injuries including some that are "permanent" and cause her to suffer anxiety.